Sealy Cool Beginnings 2-Stage Foam & Gel Crib Mattress Review

Back when we had our first kiddo I wasn't terribly informed and hadn't ever heard anything about toxins in crib mattresses or making sure that your babies mattress wasn't too soft. I just figured a mattress was a mattress. I never really gave it much thought I guess. Through the years more and more studies have come out about crib/mattress safety and things have changed greatly. I love that so many companies care about our babies safety and are willing to put all of the time, effort, and money into the research of how to keep our babies safe and comfortable while they sleep . Kolcraft is definitely one of those companies! 

Kolcraft offers many many different options and types mattresses. They have everything from memory foam to cotton to gel. They sent me a wonderful Sealy Cool Beginnings 2 Stage Foam and Gel Crib Mattress to review. The Sealy Cool Beginnings 2-Stage Foam and Gel crib mattress is made with CertiPUR-US certified gel foam. It offers your little one the firmness of an ultra sturdy and high quality mattress while still being lightweight and breathable. It has a memory foam core plus a layer of soybean cooling gel to keep your little one cool and comfortable at night. 

Features

• 2-stage foam mattress is made with hypoallergenic, incredibly firm and ultra lightweight polyethylene foam for infants
• Flip mattress over for the cool comfort of our exclusive soybean cool gel, an infused gel memory foam topper
• PVC-free cover is both liquid and stain-resistant for a more sanitary sleeping surface
• Lock-stitched binding will not unravel and won't trap liquids and odors
• Airflow pocket helps keep mattress fresh
• This entire mattress is GREENGUARD® Gold Certified for indoor air quality and low chemical emissions to help create a healthier sleeping environment for your baby
• CoolTex™ two-tone cover is soft and luxurious, helping to enhance the cool feel of the gel underneath and keep baby comfortable

We received this mattress a little more than a week ago and one of the first things that really stuck out to me the most was its weight. The mattress that my daughter had in her crib before was so heavy that it was hard for me to get it out of the crib to change the sheet. The Sealy Cool Beginnings mattress is so light that when i picked the box up off of the front porch it felt almost like there wasn't anything in it. My 19 month old can even pick it up and carry it above her head! The mattress is nice and lightweight since it is memory foam but still has a very nice durable waterproof layer on the outside of the mattress to keep liquids out. It is also very easily cleanable for accidents and so that you dont get nasty germs growing in spots that are hard to clean.

To add to the wonderful safety of this product, notice the square corners of the mattress. They make the corners square to limit gaps between the edge of the bed and the mattress. This mattress fits snugly into the toddler bed or a crib without any annoying gaps.

Their mattresses are also made in the USA and offer a lifetime warranty.

So if you are in the market for a new crib mattress the Sealy Cool Beginnings is a GREAT one to get!

They can be bought off of the Kolcraft website or from Target. The price ranges from $199.99-$239.99 

The worlds lightest carrier-The BOBA AIR!!!!

Babywearing.......I love babywearing. I love the way that my little man snuggles right in to the sound of my beating heart and is comfy and safe on my chest (or back) For the longest time I have raved about the Boba 2G & 3G baby carrier......It is the most comfortable carrier that I have tried and love everything about it!

And once again BOBA has hit the nail on the head with their new baby carrier, the BobaAir!!! For the longest time I have wanted a baby carrier that was super lightweight for camping, hiking, and just for keeping in the diaper bag. I love being able to have a carrier in the diaper bag (not taking up the whole thing) and not having to remember one every time we go out. The BobaAir is simple to use, ultra lightweight and ergonomic! The perfect carrier for travelers or any parent on the go – when you’re done, just fold, zip & stash. 

The BobaAir is very simple to use, comfortable to wear, and so very compact for travel. You just strap it on like any other soft structured baby carrier and you are good to go. It's the perfect carrier for world travelers or really any parent on the go – when you’re done all you have to do is fold it up, zip the (built in) pouch closed & stash away in your backpack or diaper bag. 

What I love about it:

-First of all I love that it is so compact and easy to use. It is so easy to get in and out of its pouch and zips up nice and tight. I love the fact that I can take it with me, stash it in the cart or stroller and when he needs some snuggles or just to be close I have it right close by without taking up tons of space.

-I love that it weighs less than a pound (0.7lbs to be exact) you can throw it in your purse and still have room for everything else.

- Like the other Boba carriers the waist straps are nice and long so that extensions are not needed for larger (or pregnant) wearers.

-I love that the price is more reasonable for people that wouldn't be able to afford a nice baby carrier. It runs for $65 and is definitely worth the money.

-You can never loose the pouch because it folds into the pocket that you would normally store the hood in.....One less thing to keep up with!! It also is truly easy to fold up, unlike many other things that say you will be able to stick them right back in the package but know just by looking at it that it will never fit back in.

-I love that it is water resistant so that if we are out and about and its raining I can keep my little man as dry as possible while still getting things done.

What I am not too crazy about:

-I do love a carrier that can be used with an infant. The BobaAir can not be used with infants unlike the 3G which you very easily can.

-It has no padding so it isnt as comfortable as the 3G. I am not saying that it is uncomfortable at all, just not as cushy as the 3G. I never really got back aches with it. It just isn't like your baby is floating on air on your back like the 3G.

-The BobaAir doesn't really breathe any better than the 3G. It is 100% Nylon so it is VERY easy to clean and extremely durable. It would be nice if they could put some sort of mesh part or something that was breathable. D tends to sometimes get sweaty when I am carrying him in this carrier.

Features:

• 100% Nylon
• Front and back carry options
• Sleeping hood included
• Large zipper pouch for on-the-go storage
• Comfortably fits heights 5'0" – 6'3"
• Waistband range: 27" – 55"
• Elastic bands neatly roll up straps
• Easily adjustable chest strap
• Uniquely designed to "hug" your child
• Body of carrier rises 16"
• High quality military grade buckles

For more information on Boba and their carriers check their website out. You can also look for them on facebook and twitter.

BUY IT:

The BobaAir is available in black and retails for $65.

Thank you to "Boba" who provided us with the previously stated product/s at no cost in exchange for our review! I was not given any monetary compensation for writing this review. The product itself did not persuade my personal beliefs or views. I was under no obligation to write a positive review . The views and opinions expressed in this blog are purely my own and any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified by the above mentioned store, PR,or product designer.

BOBA wrap prints-review & Giveaway!!!

I am a big proponent of holding your baby as much as possible, especially in the first few months of life instead of leaving them in car seats, bouncers, swings, etc. Don't get me wrong! I LOVE having swings, bouncers, strollers, etc......I really do. Especially with having 2 speedy little boys to keep up with. But there is just something about holding your little one close to you, breathing in their intoxicating scent, loving on them, kissing their fuzzy little heads, and keeping them close and safe from harm right against your body. There is something to be said about the powerful effects that touch, being held, and skin-to-skin contact have on babies/children.  Feeling mommy's warmth,  hearing/feeling their heartbeat and voice, it is very important for babies to feel secure in their new and overwhelming world.

The BOBA wrap works from preemie/newborn up to 35lbs. So it can be used for many many years......my 4 year old son it about 35 lbs so you could easily use it with a 3+ year old (Ideal weight for it though is up to about 18 months)!  It is made out of a high quality knit woven fabric with a touch of spandex for durability, clinging support, and shape retention.  It's free of buckles, straps or snaps so there is no where that will rub your little ones skin. Unlike other wraps, the fabric does not stretch and sag with use (how to prevent a sagging baby) so you can keep your little one at a safe angle on your body and secure at your chest.The BOBA wrap is made to where you can wear your little one all day long if needed and still be comfortable.  It can be machine washed and dried and has different carry options for different ages of kiddos.

Back when my eldest son was a baby I was given a Mobi wrap as a baby gift. I liked it well enough, but it was so hard to get it tied to where it was snug when I put the baby in. It was always too loose when I put him in and it wasn't stretchy where I could tie it and put him in and not have to re-tie it again. The BOBA wrap is SO much easier to get your baby in with the stretchy fabric because you can have everything tied as tight as it needs to be and still be able to get your little one inside and comfy.

With the BOBA Wrap you only need to learn one basic tie. There are other options of you want to expand your options but the basic hold works great. Once you can tie it snug against your body with no twists you have already become a master. The joy of the BOBA Wrap is that your baby will fit inside without you having to guess how much room to leave so that the baby won't be held too high or too low on your chest. Tying the wrap perfectly may take a couple of practices but after you get it down its a cinch. Practice makes perfect......you will find the right fit for you and your baby. It will become as easy and common place as tying your shoelaces. Stick with it, it's definitely worth it!
 

I very much love the "Ocean" BOBA wrap!! It is so soft, the color is gorgeous, it is easy to use once you get the hang of it, and it is so very comfortable!

  Features:

• 95% cotton 5% spandex (high quality French Terry material)
• Front & infant hold
• Supports up to 35lbs
• Hands-free Availability
• Ideal for breastfeeding
• Machine washable
• Simple no-guess tying

Length: 5.5 yards long
Width: 19 Inches   At the moment the BOBA wrap only comes in one print (I'm sure that there are more to come!!). The "Ocean" print wrap sells for $59.95 HERE. You can also get it in 13 solid colors for $48 each and 2 different organic colors for $65 each. The wrap also comes with a matching carry bag and a big instruction booklet for the different carry positions!!
Make sure that you "like" them on their Facebook page and follow them on their Twitter page for updates, giveaways, and new products! You can also subscribe to the BOBA blog to get new updates,
Want to win a BOBA carrier or wrap?? WIN ONE HERE!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you to "Boba" who provided us with the previously stated product/s in exchange for our review. The product itself did not persuade my personal beliefs or views. I was under no obligation to write a positive review . The views and opinions expressed in this blog are purely my own and any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified by the above mentioned store, PR,or product designer. 

Progresso Light Soups Review & Giveaway!!! #ProgressOh! #MyBlogSpark!

I have always loved soup!! My husband is not a big soup lover (more of a meat and potatoes man) so I have to take the soup where I can get it! Most of the time it is lunch time or when I just decide that I really want soup so I will make it for dinner. I know that there are days that I don't feel like making home made soup so it is wonderful to have a good backup in my pantry!  The day after I received my package it was cold, snowy, and miserable outside so it was a wonderful day to try out my new soups. I tried the chicken pot pie soup and it was wonderful! I LOVE chicken pot pie so to have a soup that tastes the same is wonderful!

The ProgressOh soup only has 100 calories so it is a great light and healthy lunch or dinner. No need to feel guilty about the extra calories! So if you are dieting or just wanting to have a  light and healthy lunch ProgressOh soup is the way to go!!

We all live for those little moments of Oh! when we look and feel our best. The feeling of Oh! when you button up your favorite old jeans...and they fit! Or the Oh! you get from your friends when you walk into a room confidently sporting a new dress! Those moments of Oh! are some of the best of our lives! When's the last time you had one of those moments? Who's said Oh! lately in your life?

And of course there's the Oh! satisfaction when you discover a delicious ally that helps you beat diet boredom – Progresso® soup! With 40 delicious flavors at 100 calories or less per serving, you are sure to find a soup that makes you say Oh!

Progresso is also having a sweepstakes so make sure you read the details below and enter to win - then enter to win the giveaway for the Progresso prize pack!

Buy It!!! 

Look for ProgressOh soups in your nearest grocery store!!

Sweepstakes:

Progresso is giving you the chance to win the ultimate ProgressOh! Make-Oh-ver experience in Hollywood*! Three lucky grand prize winners will get to take the ultimate trip full of ProgresOh! experiences – from a head-to-toe makeover to sightseeing in LA!

Here's what you could win:

• Round-trip airfare for you and a guest to Los Angeles, California
• 4 day/ 3 night hotel accommodations
• A head-to-toe makeover, including hair, makeup and a blue dress to get you ready for your own ProgressOh! moment in Hollywood
• Two tickets to this season's live finale of The Biggest Loser
• $2,000 spending money

Here's how to enter:

• Visit Facebook.com/Progresso
• Complete an official entry form
• Share a photo
• Tell us why you love Progresso soup
• Tell us why you deserve a ProgressOh! makeover

 Giveaway:

Enter below to win this great gift pack:

   -2 cans of Progresso® soup:     
  -Light Creamy Potato with Bacon & Cheese     
  -Light Chicken Pot Pie Style

-Cosmetic Bag

-Compact Mirror and Brush

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thank you to "Boba" who provided us with the previously stated product/s in exchange for our review. The product itself did not persuade my personal beliefs or views. I was under no obligation to write a positive review . The views and opinions expressed in this blog are purely my own and any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified by the above mentioned store, PR,or product designer. 

4G BOBA baby carrier review!!!

As the years go by and now that I have three kiddos I have very much learn to appreciate baby carriers more and more.  I no longer have enough hands to keep up with all three kiddos and there is no longer enough room in my shopping cart to easily go shopping (is it ever easy to go shopping with 3 kiddos??.....but anyway....).  Wearing baby girl is a must for shopping and makes my life so much easier.  When my eldest was first born I didn't have a clue about what my baby wearing options were out there.  I just thought that the baby carriers in big box stores were the only ones available (and 5 years ago basically all you could buy were Snuggli crotch danglers in the store.) As the years have gone by and I have have expanded my baby-wearing experience I have realized the power of a GOOD carrier. I have used BOBA carriers for probably three to four years and they just keep making them better and better with each new one they make! 

Ever since I got my 2G a few years ago BOBA has been my favorite brand to carry with. It is so amazingly comfortable and is very easy to put on and take off. They are designed to where babies spine and legs are in a safe position and it is so comfortable for me to wear. With the 3G I loved that it had the snaps to make it smaller so that I could use it with a newborn.  The only thing that I didn't like about it was that you had to re-thread the waist straps to use it with an infant since you had to fold the strap over and snap it. If you switch back and fourth from your newborn to an older kiddo it took a little bit to re-thread the straps. Now BOBA has come out with the awesome new 4G baby carrier that has a built in (but removable) infant insert. The only other carrier that I have tried out that has an infant insert was the ERGO carrier. The thing that I never liked about the ERGO was the infant insert. It is so bulky, was too warm in the summer, and I always had to make sure that I had both the carrier and the insert with me. The new 4G has a snap in pillow like insert in the bottom of the carrier that your baby sits on top of. It is not an added thing that you have to put in each time. It just stays in your carrier until you no longer need it.

The second I received my new BOBA 3G I was in love (once again!). The new features are amazing and the fabric is extremely high quality as usual.  No more flipping and snapping the waist band, no more having to re-thread the waist straps!! All you have to do is snap in the little pillow thingy that sits under their little booty and you are good to go!

There are two positions that you can have the pillow in. The first is for brand new babies that need more support and need to be held higher up. For babies 7-10 lbs you fold and snap the pillow in half which gets your babe up higher and it basically keeps them in the fetal tuck position. Then for a little older baby (10-14lbs) if you un-fold the pillow they will just sit on top of it for just a little boost. When it is unfolded it is basically a kidney bean shaped pillow that your babies bottom rests on the center of. It will keep her legs held up in an M shape since they aren't long enough to be outside of the carrier yet.

 

One other change that BOBA made with the 4G carrier is that the hood has been modified. Before you could only snap the hood on the side that it came from. Now the straps are long enough to bring from one side to the other and be able to snap it so that it acts as head support for your newborn. It works very much like the shoulder straps on the BOBA Wrap.

So like the other BOBA carriers this one is top notch! It is well thought out, very comfortable, safe for your little one, and will work well from birth to toddler.

You can find information on how to wear your baby, safety information, and much more on their website.  http://www.bobafamily.com/support/boba-instructions

To get an awesome BOBA 4G carrier of your own head over to their website http://www.bobafamily.com/store/baby-carrier/

Disclosure: This is a partnered giveaway was brought to you by BOBAfamily!! All opinions are mine unless noted otherwise. I did not receive monetary compensation for this post. I was given the product above at no charge in exchange for my review.